The Alcoholism Council of New York's (ACNY) youth development program
provides youth (ages 10-14) with prevention services in the form of
educational, recreational and social programming. The program aims to:
Help youth become aware of the influence their environment
has on their decisions to begin drinking
Make youth and their parents appreciate that alcohol use by
young people is often facilitated by adults
Respond to young people's need for adventure, challenges and
risk-taking by providing healthy constructive options that redirect their
attention away from unhealthy choices
Help parents and other adults appreciate the important role
they can play in keeping youth alcohol free
Participants (youth and adults) engage in critical thinking discussions,
view and debrief relevant films, play games that encourage healthy social
interaction, go on educational and recreational field trips and journal
their experiences and lessons learned.
The program is designed and implemented by Peer Youth Advisors (under
supervision of professionals) who are very close in age to the youth
participants. This unique feature offers participants a sense of camaraderie
that helps in their ability to internalize important prevention messages,
while simultaneously providing the Peer Youth Advisors with workforce
development services and guidance counseling.
For more information please contact:
Youth Services Program
212-252-7001, ext. 108
or by email at fpalmer.acny@alcoholism.org
